The storming of the Bastille

How was Louis forced to do following the storming of the Bastille?

Louis was forced into sharing his power and on 17 July he visited Paris sporting the red, white and blue cockade of the revolution on his hat and recognised the legality of the National Assembly, Commune and National Guard as well as reinstating Necker.

What was the citizen's militia?

Made up of militia predominantly bourgeois, which would protect property against the attacks of the menu people (ordinary people living in towns) and defend Paris against royal troops.

What was the response of the nobles?

Many nobles including the King's brother, leading 20,000 emigres, fled Paris in the belief that the royal cause was lost.

What effect did the news of the fall of the Bastille have among the peasantry?

News of the fall of the Bastille has spread through France and intensified activity among the peasantry.

When was establishment of the Commune of Paris?

On 15 July

What did the citizens militia become?

On 15 July this became the National Guard and Lafayette was appointed the commander.

What happened to the Bastille?

The Bastille was dismantled brick by brick by the bare hands of the crowd. Bricks were sold as a symbol of the demolition of despotism.

What were the causes of the storming of the Bastille?

The search for weapons drew ordinary Parisians to Les Invalides, an old soldier's retirement that also served as an arsenal where over 28,000 muskets and 20 canons were seized. However the demonstrators were still short of gunpowder and cartridges, so they marched on the fortress of the Bastille.

How were the defenders of the Bastille overcome?

With the support of Gardes-francaises, using cannon

What happened to de Launey?

He surrendered and was decapitated and his head was paraded on a pike around the city.

How did the The National Assembly respond?

The National Assembly did not condemn this act of violence and defiance.

What was the significance of the Bastille?

This imposing prison was a symbol of the Ancien Regime and tyrannical government. It was believed to contain political prisoners. Therefore the event suggested that the people had taken the side of the Revolution and signified that the National Assembly could not be dispersed.

What signalled to Louis that discipline was deteriorating rapidly and that the reliability of the troops to crush the rising could not be counted on?

This was because throughout late June, many Gardes-francaises, who worked at various trades in Paris in their off duty hours and mixed with the Parisian population, were being influenced by agitators at the Palais Royale.

What the storming of the Bastille the first and most famous of?

This was the first and most famous of the journees, day of popular action and disturbance linked to great political change, which had been initiated by sans culottes.

How did de Launey respond to a group which managed to enter the inner courtyard of the Bastille?

de Launay ordered his troops to open fire and 98 were killed